Pontrhondda Primary School
Y Bont i Lwyddiant / The Bridge to Success
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Breakfast Club Provision Consultation
Consultation Relating to the Continuation of Free Breakfast Club Provision and the Proposed Introduction of a Charge for the Additional Childcare Element Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is facing significant financial challenges, with a potential £85M shortfall in funding predicted over the next three years. The situation requires the Council to consider a range of options to deliver the essential savings necessary to help deliver a legally balanced budget for 2024/25. Breakfast clubs play an important part in the life of schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf and ensure not only good nutrition and a positive start to the school day, but an opportunity for social interaction and improved engagement with education. Nevertheless, the cost of providing breakfast club provision has increased by nearly £400k over the past 5 years and the Bank of England has forecast that high inflation rates will continue for the next few years, and increased food, staffing, transport, and energy costs are also predicted. On Monday 20th November 2023, the Council considered a report to consult with key stakeholders on the proposed introduction of a charge for the additional childcare element, which will be available prior to the commencement of free breakfast club provision. The proposed daily charge is £1, rounded down to £60 per term (£180 per annum). Eligible Free School Meal (eFSM) pupils would be exempt from any charge, and it is proposed that the additional income generated from the proposals will be ring fenced and reinvested back into school budgets. Consideration will also be given as to whether further concessions from the proposed charge should be provided, for example, a potential cap applied to parents/carers with more than one child making use of the provision. To: Service User Fy nghyf: My Ref: LK Eich Cyf: Your Ref: Dyddiad: Date: 28 th November 2023 2 To be fully informed, the Council are requesting to seek views on the proposed changes and charges to the breakfast club provision. A public consultation will be undertaken, commencing on 27th November 2023, and ending on 8th January 2024, with current service users and other stakeholders. I would be grateful if you could take a few minutes of your time to complete the consultation survey, which can be found at Current Consultations | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (rctcbc.gov.uk). The information you provide will be treated as confidential and anonymous. Your data will not be shared with anyone outside of the Council. You can email us at consultation@rctcbc.gov.uk or you can write to us at:- Freepost RSBU-HJUK-LSSS Public Relations & Strategy The Pavilions Cambrian Industrial Park Clydach Vale Tonypandy CF40 2XX If you would prefer to speak to someone to provide your views, please telephone 01443 425014 between 9:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. You are welcome to communicate with us in Welsh and this will not lead to a delay.